Energy saving is a fundamental principle of green construction. For this reason, increasing attention is being paid to the development of technologies that minimise energy losses in the operation of buildings. The main technologies are:
Effective insulation
Recently, manufacturers of insulation and insulating materials have come up with several modern technological solutions that better retain heat in the building. Some of the most common and effective materials used in green building include:
- Foamed polystyrene boards: They offer the potential to reduce construction costs, increase the speed of building wall construction, reduce construction waste and, of course, provide effective thermal insulation.
- Organic thermal insulation: Made using natural, environmentally friendly materials (non-autoclaved aerated concrete, recycled wood and woodworking waste (fibreboard or chipboard), reed, straw, fibreboard, peat board, etc.).
- Other thermal insulation materials of inorganic origin: Fibreglass-based boards, rock wool boards, mineral wool, etc.
Reducing heat loss in the ventilation system by installing heat recovery ventilation system
The operation of heat recovery ventilation systems is therefore that when ventilating a living or working space, fresh air drawn in from outside is heated in the heating season through a heat exchanger unit and only then is released into the room. In summer mode, the cooler outdoor air at night (bypassing the heat exchanger) is used to effectively cool the building back down after it has been heated during the day. Heat recovery ventilation is a way of simultaneously providing fresh air and recovering the energy resulting from the difference between the temperature of the air blown in and the air drawn in. As this system can operate at heat recovery efficiencies of up to 90-94%, it is highly energy efficient and cost-effective.
Use of solar energy
Green Construction not only uses advanced energy-saving technologies, but also alternative sources of electricity generation. The use of solar panels is almost an essential part of this type of building. Solar panels are usually installed on the roofs of buildings, but recently, various types of photovoltaic glass (Smart Energy Glass) have started to be used. Such glass not only accumulates solar energy, but also perfectly retains heat in the premises in winter.
Rainwater harvesting
Technologies for the efficient and rational use of water resources are also at the heart of green building. There is even a whole section of the standards dedicated to rainwater harvesting. Every “green” building must necessarily have a system for rainwater harvesting and storage.
There are many types of such systems, from simple systems designed for small houses to industrial-scale devices. Rainwater is usually collected from the roof of the building. Of course, such water cannot be used as drinking water, as dust, dirt and other debris can enter during the collection process. Depending on the characteristics of the collection system, the resulting rainwater can be used for various purposes, most commonly for domestic purposes: watering plants, washing cars, flushing toilets, etc.
Green facade, green roof
The green façade is made up of runner plants, which run either directly onto the wall or onto a stand placed in front of the wall surface. These plants are rooted in the ground below, at ground level or in a basin, and are grown from there so that they grow in the right direction.
If the roof is to be planted with plants, special techniques must be used. Here the vegetation forms an interconnected architecture with the underlying rain waterproofed slab, the roof insulation and the overall building structure.
Important ecological benefits of green surfaces include stormwater retention, relief of the sewerage system, maintenance of natural water circulation, improvement of the microclimate, provision of pollutant absorption capacity and improved thermal insulation.
